Retractable shower curtain rod
A shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a mount for mounting the shower curtain road on a first end thereof, and a moveable mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. The shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain.
The present disclosure is directed to a shower curtain rod and more particularly to a shower curtain rod which is extendable and retractable to fit above and in cooperation with a shower or bathtub. The show curtain rod is intended to be used to support a shower curtain to prevent water from splashing out of the enclosure bordered by the shower curtain as the curtain is draped into a bath tub below the curtain rod.
BACKGROUNDIn the construction of most bathrooms, it is common to position a shower nozzle mounted on the wall in an enclosure above a bath tub to thereby provide the option of a shower for the resident using the bathroom facility. In defining such enclosures, splashing water out of the enclosure is limited by the use of a sliding door, typically a translucent plastic or shatter proof glass, or more conveniently, a shower curtain. The shower curtain is ordinarily constructed and arranged to drape loosely from a set of eyelets or curtain rings which slide along the curtain rod. A set of such rings is normally mounted slidably on the shower curtain rod which is positioned normally at the height of the sprinkler head or other nozzle. The shower curtain is draped in the bath tub below so that water is not splashed out of the bath tub. Because the bath tub is below the shower nozzle, the bath tub functions to collect water which drains from the bath tub during the shower.
Many bath tubs, indeed most bath tubs, are constructed with a straight exposed side. Straight side bath tubs are constructed so that they can be positioned immediately below a straight shower rod. In the use of a straight shower rod, the drape of the shower curtain is fairly well defined by the support provided overhead by the shower rod. Since the shower rod is straight, the bath tub itself defines a companion or parallel, perhaps slightly inset, opening where the loosely hanging shower curtain can be directed. In that event, the shower curtain is positioned so that all of the splashed water is maintained in the bath tub. In a rectangular bath tub, this is accomplished through the use of a straight shower curtain rod. A straight shower curtain rod is typically provided with a central straight portion having a length approximately equal to that of the bath tub and which also includes offset end rod portions which enable connection with the tile wall which surrounds the bath tub. In that construction, the bath tub is positioned below the rod so that the shower curtain can drape in the tub. Straight shower curtain rods typically have a straight length portion with end portions which approximately conforms to the length or profile of the bath tub when viewed from above.
While functional, and even generally effective, straight shower curtain rods have the significant drawback of limiting the space available inside the shower. Particularly for larger persons or for those who prefer to have more space available to them in the shower, the relatively narrow width of the bathtub does not provide enough room for them to shower comfortably. To address this point one approach has been to form curved shower curtain rods. The curvature of the shower curtain rod increases the volume of space available to a user behind the shower curtain. But these too have the drawback of significantly reducing the amount of space in the bathroom outside of the shower. Further, for many applications, particularly with essentially square bathtubs, the curved shower rods are unsightly and the shower curtains do not hang from them in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
The present invention endeavors to overcome the problems of the prior art and provide shower curtain rod which is extendable in an outward direction from the bathtub to create more space when in use, but which may be returned to the retracted position when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention is a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof, and a moveable mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a moveable first mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof, and a moveable second mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. In all aspects of the present invention, the shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain.
Additional aspects of the instant invention may include the moveable mount having a track and a sliding mount. The track may include a stop which runs in a track formed on a surface of the sliding mount to prevent the movement of the shower curtain rod beyond a predetermined position. Further, the sliding mount may run in slots formed in a rail portion of the track, the rail portion having an angle to a flat surface of the track where the track is mounted to a side wall of a shower. In addition, the rail portion may be substantially parallel to a flat surface of the track where the track is mounted to a side wall of a shower. In one aspect of the present invention the shower curtain rod assembly may include an end cap connected to an end of the sliding mount for preventing the sliding mount from moving beyond a predetermined point. Further, the shower curtain rod may be rotatably mounted to a hinged mount and to the sliding mount. Lastly, in all configurations, the shower curtain rod assembly may include an electric motor system so that the shower curtain may be automatically moved away from a shower, once a user begins to shower.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of increasing a volume of space defined by a shower curtain and a bathtub, the method includes a step of providing a shower curtain rod assembly having a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface. One or both of the first and second mounts may be used to slidably connect the shower curtain rod to the wall surfaces. The method also includes a step of applying pressure to one or both ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mount(s) such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtains original position.
The method may also include a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position. Further, upon application of pressure to the second end of the shower curtain rod, a sliding mount portion of the second mount may slide along a track portion of the second mount. The track portion may include a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point.
A further aspect of the present invention is a method of preventing water from splashing out of a bathtub. The method includes a step of providing a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface. A further step of the method includes attaching a shower curtain to the shower curtain rod so that the shower curtain remains inside the bathtub when applying pressure to one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mount such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtain's original position.
Further aspects of this method may include application of pressure to one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod which may cause a sliding mount portion of one or both of the first and second mounts to slide along a track portion of the mount(s). The sliding mount portion includes may include at least one hook for attaching an end of the shower curtain. The portion of the shower curtain attached to the sliding mount prevents water from splashing out of the bathtub following movement of the shower curtain rod away from the bathtub and the shower curtain's original position. The track portion may include a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point. And the method may include a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position.
In this text, the terms “comprising,” “comprise,” “comprises” and other forms of “comprise” can have the meaning ascribed to these terms in U.S. Patent Law and can mean “including,” “include,” “includes” and other forms of “include.”
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals.
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, incorporated herein by reference, wherein:
By application of force to the curtain rod 20 in a direction away from the shower 10, the volume of space behind the shower curtain can be increased. The curtain rod 20 rotates on the hinge mount 18. The rotation of the curtain rod 20 moves the sliding mount 24 along the track 22 in the direction of the curtain rod 20. Movement of the curtain rod 20 is indicated throughout the figures with double-headed arrows.
This combination provides a retractable shower curtain rod 11 that results in the volume of a shower being increased when the retractable shower curtain rod 11 is extended and, at the same time, allows the shower curtain rod 20 to appear in its traditional location with a vertically oriented shower curtain when in the retracted position.
Formed on the sliding mount 24 is an eye 120. The eye 120 mates with a second eye 122 formed on the curtain rod 20 shown in
Depicted in
In a third embodiment of the present invention that is similar to the first embodiment, as depicted in
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention that is similar to the third embodiment, as depicted in
In all of the disclosed embodiments, an electric motor system may be used to drive the retractable curtain rod 11. As depicted in
The electric motor system operates as follows. A trigger cable that is connected to the battery pack connects to a microprocessor. Connected to the microprocessor is an adhesive flat wire. As depicted in
Lastly, in order to increase the ease at which the sliding mount(s) 24 slide back and forth along the track 22, bearings, wheels, rollers or any other type of sliding mechanism, may be used in the sliding mounts 24 or on the track 22.
Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A shower curtain rod assembly comprising:
- a shower curtain rod;
- a first mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof; and
- a moveable second mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof;
- wherein, said shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain.
2. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein said moveable second mount comprises a track and a sliding mount.
3. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein said track has a rail portion.
4. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the track includes a stop which runs in a track formed on a surface of the sliding mount to prevent the movement of the shower curtain rod beyond a predetermined position.
5. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 3, wherein the sliding mount runs in slots formed on the rail portion, said rail portion having an angle to a flat surface of said track where said track is mounted to a side wall of a shower.
6. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 3, wherein the sliding mount runs in slots formed on the rail portion, said rail portion being substantially parallel to a flat surface of said track where said track is mounted to a side wall of a shower.
7. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 6, wherein said shower curtain rod is extendable.
8. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, further comprising an end cap connected to an end of the sliding mount for preventing the sliding mount from moving beyond a predetermined point.
9. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the shower curtain rod is rotatably mounted to a hinged mount and to the sliding mount.
10. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein said shower curtain rod is attached to said sliding mount with a hinge.
11. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein said sliding mount is attached to said rail with a hinge.
12. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one hinge.
13. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one hook.
14. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electric motor system.
15. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the moveable second mount comprises a sliding means.
16. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the sliding means is selected from the group consisting of bearings, wheels and rollers.
17. A method of increasing a volume of space defined by a shower curtain and a bathtub comprising the steps of:
- providing a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface, wherein either one or both of the first and second mounts slidably connect the ends of the shower curtain rod to the first and second wall surfaces;
- applying pressure to either one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mounts such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtain's original position.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein upon application of pressure to either one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, a sliding mount portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts slides along a track portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the track portion includes a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point.
21. A method of preventing water from splashing out of a bathtub comprising the steps of:
- providing a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface, wherein either one or both of the first and second mounts slidably connect the ends of the shower curtain rod to the first and second wall surfaces;
- attaching a shower curtain to the shower curtain rod so that the shower curtain remains inside the bathtub when applying pressure to either one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mount such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtain's original position.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein upon application of pressure to either one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, a sliding mount portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts slides along a track portion of either one or both of the first and second mounts.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the sliding mount portion includes at least one hook for attaching an end of the shower curtain.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the portion of the shower curtain attached to the sliding mount prevents water from splashing out of the bathtub following movement of the shower curtain rod away from the bathtub and the shower curtain's original position.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the track portion includes a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position.
27. A shower curtain rod assembly comprising:
- a shower curtain rod;
- a moveable first mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof; and
- a moveable second mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof; wherein, said shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain.
28. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 27, wherein said first moveable mount comprises a first track and a first sliding mount and said second moveable mount comprises a second track and a second sliding mount.
29. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 28, wherein said first track and said second track each have a rail portion.
30. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 28, wherein each track includes a stop which runs in a track formed on a surface of the sliding mount to prevent the movement of the shower curtain rod beyond a predetermined position.
31. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 29, wherein the sliding mount runs in slots formed on the rail portion of each track, said rail portions being substantially parallel to a flat surface of said tracks where said tracks are mounted to a side wall of a shower.
32. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 28, further comprising an end cap connected to an end of the sliding mount for preventing the sliding mount from moving beyond a predetermined point.
33. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 28, wherein the shower curtain rod is mounted at a first end to the first sliding mount and at a second end to the second sliding mount.
34. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 28, wherein the first moveable mount and the second moveable mount comprises a sliding means.
35. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 34, herein the sliding means is selected from the group consisting of bearings, wheels and rollers.
36. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 27, further comprising at least one hook.
37. The shower curtain rod assembly of claim 27, further comprising at least one electric motor system.
International Classification: A47K 3/00 (20060101); A47K 3/08 (20060101); A47K 3/14 (20060101);